We check out the new Lexus LF-A configurator,

Bob Lutz loses a bet and makes carbloggers and Bimmer-philes everywhere very happy,

and American interiors, good gawd, American interiors.

In my last post on RLCs I talked about how when a city decides to install these devices their concerns are not about safety because the studies show that they increase the chance of accidents. If you have any doubts, ask yourself why would a city install the RLCs and then reduce the yellow light timing to less than the federal or state guidelines unless they wanted only to produce more red light violations. In order to get the cameras installed, the city has to write the ordinances so that the violations do not put any points on drivers’ licenses. Why would the city decriminalize a violation as serious as running a red light? It's really not that complicated. Red light cameras are used only to create a revenue stream for the incestuous relationship between money-hungry cities and money-grubbing RLC companies.

The Lake Mirror Classic featured so many dozens of pristine classic/custom cars that we could never cover them all in individual posts. However, we did take a ton of pictures!

This gallery features some of the meaner entries in the classic. A nasty GNX, some Shelbys, a Monster Miata; the list is endless.

The 2009 Lake Mirror Classic Car Show presents an interesting mix of classics, imports, super cars, and even race cars every year. This yellow Saab Sonnet is one such race car.

Its unassuming looks, encouraged by its unassuming tractor/passenger car roots belie its abilities. This car started life as a run-of-the-mill sedan, but quickly blossomed into the thouroghbred you see here . . .

So far we have gushed over Lamborghinis and Camaros, completely panned pathetic Buicks and Chryslers, and have had some kind words for Kia and Subaru.

After the Chrysler booth I was desperately low on blood sugar, a feeling that may have been exacerbated by my utter disgust at what I saw in the Chrysler booth. Moving on to Ford, I was hoping that a financially solid American company was going to turn my frown upside down. It did, sort of.

The first floor of the multi-tiered Tampa International Auto Show was used to showcase high-end autos and customs. Audis, Aston Martins, GLK-Convertible abortions, and so on. The real war was going on upstairs, where Chevrolet, Buick, Ford, Lincoln, Subaru, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, and several others were all positioned uncomfortably close to each other. Why uncomfortably close? Because the AutoShopper was able to compare Kia and Buick directly . . . not a good thing for Buick.

To follow, the vicious bar fight and it's grisly aftermath.

For the past 10 years the people of Lakeland have had the pleasure of hosting the Lake Mirror Classic car show at beautiful Lake Mirror. The show is one of the country's leading classic car shows and is always a firm favorite with the public. This year’s feature display showcased European cars from the art deco era. In the midst of all the beautiful cars from the brass era, pre-war, post-war, domestic sports cars, and muscle cars there are always a few cars that are of particular interest.

The Tampa Convention Center hosted Motor Trend's "International Auto Show" over the weekend. It isn't Detroit or Geneva or Tokyo or any city demanding a multi-billion dollar auto extravaganza featuring concepts and glitzy umbrella girls and gorillas on jet skis. Thankfully.

Because it is so exempt from auto manufacturer excess, there is little to get in the way of an overly anal, under-funded auto reviewer such as myself from actually comparing the construction and execution of new cars with each other. Still haven't found the magic wand that allows me to actually take home and drive press-beaters, but the Tampa Auto Show afforded me the opportunity to get an accurate picture of what car companies are up to, and how they directly compare with each other.

What I found was equal parts disappointment and joy...

I have not put much thought into the whole “red light camera” topic until my town decided to place these autonomous ticket printing machines up in strategic places that will Make Money. Make no mistake about it that when a town decides to use an independent company that has incentives to write tickets without the discretion of a police officer at the scene to take in the whole situation and use his judgment, they are in it to make money. I must say that in no way do I advocate reckless driving or breaking the laws, but If Big Brother is going to start writing tickets from an armchair in Arizona for your front tires being over the white line then I must protect myself.

Mark Webber and Red Bull were able to pull out a victory in Sao Paulo, but Jenson Button managed to finish ahead of Sebastian Vettle and teammate Rubens Barrichello to secure the 2009 Driver's Championship. Brawn GP was able to take the constructor's championship, with one race remaining in Abu Dubai.

The week leading up to the eventual win was a busy one; a recap of all the dramatic happenings here . . .